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Steven Richter Obituary
Steven Lee Richter, born on December 19, 1958, in Lincoln, Nebraska, passed away on July 11, 2025, in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
As a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, class of 1981, Steve served a decorated 24 year career as a Surface Warfare Officer aboard several ships and finished his time at sea as the Commanding Officer of the USS Cimarron AO-177 followed by USS Reuben James FFG-57 in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He spent the last five years of his active duty serving in the Pentagon, where he dedicated his efforts to the Department of Defense. After retiring from the Navy, Steve continued his service as a Senior Analyst at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.
In retirement, Steve devoted himself to farming and raising livestock in Kentucky, where he found peace in his love for animals and the outdoors. He was also known for his selfless mentorship and his ability to touch the lives of others throughout his career and personal endeavors.
Steve was a wonderful husband and father, married for 44 years to Leslie. He is remembered as a dedicated family man who always made time for adventures with his sons, Phil and Brian. He showed them the wonders of nature through hiking, camping, and day trips across the country. Steve was also a proud grandfather to Jaxon and Olivia Richter.
He is survived by his loving wife, Leslie Richter; his sons, Phil Richter and his wife Lorena, his grandchildren, Jaxon and Olivia; in Pickerington, Ohio, and Brian Richter and his fiancée Linda Zhang in Brooklyn, New York; his mother, Janice Richter in Georgetown, Texas; and his siblings, Dru Anne Marshall and her husband Jeff in Lone Tree, Colorado, Brenda Wilson and her husband Tom in Round Rock, Texas, and Chuck Richter and his wife Cheryl in Lincoln, Nebraska. He was preceded in death by his father Buddy L. Richter.
Steve's legacy will be carried on through the many lives he touched, both in his family and in his work. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, FFA, or Hosparus Heath. See below.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
1510 Campbell Ln, Bowling Green, KY 42104
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